The garnet pitta is a species of bird in the family Pittidae. It is found in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, and Thailand. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest. It is threatened by habitat loss. The form occurring in the Malaysian state of Sabah has been split as the black-crowned pitta.
Region
Sundaland (Malay Peninsula and Greater Sundas)
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland evergreen and mixed dipterocarp forests of southern Myanmar and Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and into parts of Indonesia (including Sumatra and associated islands). It favors primary forest but can persist in well-shaded secondary growth and selectively logged tracts with intact understory. Typically keeps to dense thickets, gullies, and stream margins where leaf litter is deep. Habitat fragmentation strongly limits localized occupancy and movement.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
A shy ground-dwelling pitta of Southeast Asian lowland rainforests, the garnet pitta is named for its rich, jewel-like red underparts. It often gives a clear, whistled call from dense understory, betraying its presence despite its secretive habits. The population is pressured by rapid loss of primary lowland forest; the Sabah form has been split as the black-crowned pitta. It forages by hopping and flicking leaf litter to expose prey.
Temperament
shy and territorial
Flight Pattern
short, low flights with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Mostly solitary or in pairs, becoming strongly territorial during the breeding season. Nests are domed structures placed low or on the ground among dense vegetation. Both sexes likely share incubation and chick-rearing duties. Displays include short perch-to-ground movements and soft calls within territory.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
A clear, mellow, two- to three-note whistle, often repeated at intervals from a concealed perch. Calls carry well in humid forest and are given at dawn and dusk. Soft contact notes are used at close range.
Plumage
Velvety dark upperparts contrast with rich garnet-red underparts; a metallic blue shoulder patch and a narrow blue crown line add vivid highlights.
Diet
Primarily takes ground-dwelling invertebrates such as ants, beetles, crickets, spiders, snails, and earthworms. Occasionally snaps small caterpillars or other soft-bodied prey. It searches methodically, pausing to listen before lunging to seize prey. Opportunistic gleaning from low perches occurs in dim understory.
Preferred Environment
Feeds on the forest floor in deep leaf litter, along shaded trails, and near streams or wet gullies. Prefers dense understory and tangles that provide cover while foraging. Often uses fallen logs and low branches as vantage points.
